EQMs

EQMs represent a percentage of the actual miles flown (including applicable minimum mileage guarantees) based on the airline and the booking code purchased.

AAdvantage® members have a base of 500 EQMs for flights under 500 miles on American and oneworld® airlines (250 EQMs for flights under 500 miles on Basic Economy fares).^ To calculate final EQMs earned, the multiplier for airline and booking code flown is applied to this base.

EQMs do not include class-of-service bonus miles, elite bonuses, other participant miles, any other AAdvantage® bonus mileage, or miles obtained from BuyMiles or GiftMiles.

More ways to earn EQMs

AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver MasterCard® accounts can earn 5,000 EQMs for every $20,000 in qualifying net purchases each calendar year (up to 10,000 EQMs each year).

There are two timelines associated with elite status membership – the qualification period and the membership period.

Qualification period

January to December

Your EQMs and EQSs earned from January 1 to December 31 determine your AAdvantage® elite status

You receive elite benefits immediately when you qualify and for as long as you meet the standard qualification requirements

Your benefits will last through the end of the next membership year

Membership period

Membership for elite status is valid from February 1 or the day you qualify, through January 31 of the following year

How the qualification timeline works

Since you begin receiving elite benefits immediately upon qualification, the beginning of your membership year is the day you qualify for your elite level. Then, when the new membership year begins, every elite member’s year starts over.

For example:

If you earn 25,000 EQMs on December 31, 2018, your AAdvantage® Gold membership is valid through January 31, 2020

If you earn 25,000 EQMs on July 31, 2019, your AAdvantage® Gold membership is valid through January 31, 2021

Upgrades for elite members

Complimentary and 500-mile upgrades***

On American marketed and operated flights:

Upgrades from Main Cabin to the next class of service on flights within/between the U.S. (including Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Central America

Systemwide upgrades***

As an AAdvantage® Executive Platinum member, you receive 4 complimentary one-way systemwide upgrades upon qualification. You can also receive additional systemwide upgrades as a reward upon reaching 150,000, 200,000 and 250,000 EQMs. If upgrade seating is available, you or any passenger you designate may enjoy confirmed upgrades to the next class of service at the time of booking on most Business and Economy Class fares when flying on American marketed and operated flights.

More of a good thing: Earn more miles when you fly

Bonus miles

Executive Platinum members earn a 120% bonus, Platinum Pro members earn an 80% bonus, Platinum members earn a 60% bonus and Gold members earn a 40% bonus on top of base miles earned traveling with American and participating oneworld® airlines.